Duplicating apparatus



April 22, 1952 H. P. KEn.

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 13 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 5l 1947 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEN.

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEII.

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 April 22, 1952 H. P. KE". 2,594,179'

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mor/zeg April 22, 1952 H. P. KEIL 2,594,179

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 1s sheets-sheet 5 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEN.

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 13 Sheetssheet 6 Filed Feb' 5' 1947 April 22, 1952l H. P. KElL 2,594,179

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEII.

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 zdezzzfor' envy ffez'l f5 y M Aw@ April 22, 1952 H..P. Ken. 2,594,179

DUPLICTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 1s sheets-sheet 9 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEIL 2,594,179

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 15 sheets-sheet 1o pril 22, 1952 H, P, KEIL 2,594,179

DUFLICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1947 15 smeris-sheet 11 April 22, 1952 H. P. KEIL DUPLICATING APPARATUS 2,594,1 7&9

Filed Feb.

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NNNNH E NwNN Patented Apr. 22, 1952 DUPLICATING APPARATUS Henry P. Keil, Chicago, Ill., assigner to The Fixture Hardware Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 5, 1947, Serial No. 726,502

6 Claims. l

My invention relates to duplicating machines. and particularly to that type of duplicating machine usually referred to as a wet process duplicator. In such machines the master copy is formed in reverse on a master sheet which is then mounted on a drum. A copy sheet is moistened slightly with a solvent for the Hectograph ink on the master sheet, and then pressed against the master sheet by a platen roller as the drum rotates. In such machines proper moistening of the copy sheets and accurate feeding and engagement of the copy sheets with the master sheet are necessary. The moistening huid is particularly difficult to handle because of its highly volatile nature, and its low surface tension. It is imperative too that Ithe pressure of applying the copy sheet to the master be uniform and under control.

One form of my invention is shown as embodied in a machine of the general character above referred to. It is the principal purpose of my invention to provide a simplified machine construction wherein the main driving apparatus of the drum and paper feed mechanisms is accomplished in a novel and simple manner that eliminates inaccuracy due to loose fitting gears or worm cams, and that permits of ready margin adjustment with one operation that does not affect the sequence of operation in any way.

It is also an object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement of the Vmoistening means whereby to eliminate the troubles resulting from feed of liquid to the moistening rollers and to permit of ready access to and removal of the moistening rollers `for cleaning and inspection. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved copy sheet holding and feeding means which holds a stack of copy sheets in such manner as tc grasp the top sheets most firmly and is quickly and easily released for the replenishment of the copy sheet supply.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for gripping and re leasing the master sheet on the drum.

It is also a purpose of my invention to providea novel means to mount the platen roller whereby to maintain proper pressure of the copy sheet against the master sheet in operation and to provide for release of the pressure when the machine is n ot in operation to avoid flattening of the platen roller.

(Cl. lOl-132.5)

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form of the invention. It should be understood however that the drawings and description are illustrative only, and they should not be considered as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a duplicating machine embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but showing the other side of the machine;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine;

Figure 4 is a rear end view of the machine;

Figure 5 is a front end view of the machine;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine on the line E--S of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 'l-l of Figure 4.;

Figure 8 is a view on the same line as Figure 7, showing certain parts in changed position;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectonal View on the line 9-9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is an end view of the drum looking in the same direction as Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating the driving cam construction;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line |2-I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line I3-l3 of Figure 4; L

Figure Y14 is a sectional view taken on the line lll-I4 of Figure 13;

Figure l5 is a sectional view taken on the lin |5-l5 of Figure 3;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the liquid feed means of the machine with the parts in position to supply liquid to the moistening means;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l'I-Il of Figure 3;

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17, showing the parts in a changed position;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |9-I9 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a view like Figure 16, but showing the parts in position to drain the moistening liquid away from the moistening rollers;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary sectional viewl taken on the line 2l--2I of Figure 20;

. for the copy sheets.

Figure 22 is a sectional View on the line 22-22 of Figure 7;

Figure 23 is a sectional View on the line 23--23 of Figure 22;

Figures 24, 25, 26 and 27 are detail views showing a modiaction of the sheet holding means illustrated in Figures 17, 18 and 19;

Figures 28 and 29 are detail View illustrating a modication of the platen roller tension and release mechanism shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figure 30 is a View taken on the line I-'I of Figure 4 but showing additional features of the sheetl feeding mechanism;

Figure 31 is a sectional view on the line 3I-3I of Figure 30;

Figure 32 is a View like Figure 30, but showing the parts in changed position; and

Figure 33 is a sectional view on the line 33-33 of Figure 30.I

Referring now to the drawings, the machine embodying my invention is mounted by two side frames I and II. These frames preferably are made of a suitable light material and aresubstantially alike. Aluminum or one of the lighter metal alloys would be suitable materiall for the frames. In finishing the machine, a decorative finishing shell of suitable sheet material is used toV cover the side frame, but such finishing shell forms no part of the present invention and has not, therefore, been shown. The side frames are supported by suitable resilient foot pads I 2, there being two such pads on each side frame. The pads I2 are bolted to brackets I3, which are overlapped with the lower edges of the frames I and IIv and threaded on a tie rod I4. Any suitable material such as rubber, synthetic rubber,Y

or a vinyl resin may be used for the pads I2. There are two of the tie rods I4, one at the front of the' machine and the other at the rear end of the machine',

At the front of the machine a copy sheet support comprising a sheet metal plate i is laid on top of the side frames I0 and II, and secured to the frames. The plate I5 has its front edge extendedubeyond the'side frames. TheY rear portion I6 of the plate I5 is vbent up to form a guide to direct4 copy sheets, shown at I'I, upwardly to the moistening mechanismV to be described later. The plate I5 carries two side guides VI8 and I9 These guides are adjustably 'mounted by means of elongated slots 20, 2| 22 and 23, in the plate I5V and spring clamps 24 which permit the side guides to be moved toward and away from eachother. Each side guide mounts a gripper device for gripping the side edges oi' the stack of copy sheets I'I.

The gripper device 25 is'sho'wn most clearlyV in Figures 17, 18 and 19 of the drawings. The side guide I8 has a portion cut out at 26 to provide an opening for a resilient pad 27 of sponge rubber. The pad 27 is mounted in a metal holder 28 having flanges`29 ,on three edges thereof, the

' *threaded intoV a boss 31 on the holder 2s. The

portion 38 of the stem 35, but smaller than the main portion of the stem. A spring 42 is mounted under compression between the holder 28 and a spring guide 43 that is positioned against the strip 3I The pad 21 is normally pressed against a stack of copy sheets I'I in the manner shown in Figure 17, so that it is tilted out of the vertical by virtue of the fact that only the lower portion of the pad is engaged by the sheets. This gives a concentration of the gripping effect at the top of the stack of copy sheets and insures effective holding of the sheets as they are progressively removed from the top, When new copy sheets are to be added, the pad is pulled back and moved lengthwise of the side guide until one of the por tions 48-4I receives the neck portion 38 of the stem 3'5. The pad will be held in this position stem has a neck portion 38. The strip 3I has Y. Van aperture 35 which `has two' reduced lateral until it is released by manipulation of the head 34 to align the stem with the central portion of the aperturel 39.

The rollers for feedingV and moistening a copy sheet comprises a pair of feeding rollers 44 and 45. The lower roller 44 is the power roller and is driven by a suitabler mechanism described later, in timed relation with the master sheet drum 56m-id paper feeding mechanism 5I. (See Figures 6-12 inclusive.) The roller 45 is used to spread moisture 'on the copy sheets and is driven by contact with the rroller 44. The roller 44 has a yielding porous surface, preferably of porous rubber or cork. Any other suitable material may be used. The roller 45 preferably has a somewhat harder surface and this surface may be of such material as rubber or the synthetic rubber known as Neoprene, The surface of this roller mayV desirably be roughened. Y

Moistening fluid is supplied to the roller 45 by a roller 46 which is made of aluminum, a plastic composition, hard rubber, or some other Vrelatively liard material. The surface of the roller 46 preferably has fine grooves running spirally around it, or is otherwise roughened. The roller 46 engages va hard surfaced roller 41 that supplies moisture to the roller 46 from a trough 48. The roller 41 may be of any suitable hard ma# terial suchas aluminum, glass, porcelain, Y and may be 'smooth or roughened. It is known in the art to use various combinations of smooth and roughened rollers to distribute moistening liquid evenly upon a copy sheet. I find that the preferred combination for my purpose utilizes roller 47 -as a smooth soft roller and roller 46V as a roughened roller. Y A guide strip 49 is provided beneathrthe. trough.- 48 to guide the copy sheets into the rollers-44 and 45. s

The roller assembly just described is supported byv two side plates 521` and 53. YThese plates are secured by means of spacers 54, 55, 56 and 51. VThe spacers are mounted on the side frames I8 andvII bywmeans ofrheaded screws 58. In Figure 2 2 (whichwis on the` same Vsheet as Figure 7) and Figure 23 (which is on the same sheet as Figure 9) the detailed construction of the roller bearingsk `andtheir mountings in the side plates v52 and 53 areshown. Each roller has a central shaft 59 whiehextends into a` ball bearing 66. The outer race of the ballbearing rests in a slot 6|- providefi in` the plate 52 or 53, and the sev-` eral bearings for the rollers 44, 45 and 46 are simply Vstacked one Vupon the other sothat they maybe readily removed. The sideplates 52 and V53 have semi-circular recesses 62- for the bearings 60 of the roller 47.V V'IVhe two side plates have upper hinged sections 63 and 64 which are similarly constructed, these sections being pivoted upon a shaft 65 at the ends of the side plates 52 and 53 most remote from the drum. These upper hinged sections are recessed as indicated at 66 in Figure 8 to receive the tops of the bearings for the rollers 46 and 41. A spring 61 is mounted in each of the hinged sections 63 and 64 and backed up by an adjustable screw 6B so that the tension of the spring on the bearings for the roller 46 may be varied. When it is desired to remove the several rollers for any purpose, they may be removed by throwing back the sections 63 Vand 64 as indicated in Figure 8, so that the rollers with their bearings can be lifted out of the side plates 52 and 53. This makes a very convenient assembly for the rollers. They can be kept in place when in use, and lifted out for cleaning or replacement, with a minimum amount of difficulty.

The liquid feeding means by which moisture is kept in the trough 48 is illustrated best in Figures 2, 5, 16, 20 and 21. The trough 48 is provided at one end with a small well 69 (see Figure 20) that opens into the trough through an aperture 19. The side plate 52 has an aperture 1| lthreaded to receive one end of a coupling urging the nipple into sealing engagement with the tube 13. The engaging surface of the nipple and the tube are beveled and polished smooth so as to make a liquid tight coupling. The nipple 16 threads into a bottle supporting head 18 by which the liquid bottle 86 is connected to delivel liquid through the head 19 and the nipple 16 and the tube i3 to the well 69. The connection between the bottle 80 and the head 19 comprises a threaded tube 8| which extends into the head a substantial distance and is locked in place by a set screw 82. The other end of the tube 8| extends through a cap 83 on the bottle and is threaded into an inlet cup 84 which establishes a seal with the gasket 85 in the cap 83. In Figure 21 the head 19 is shown as provided with a vent 86 in the form of an L-shaped tube set into the side of the head 1e.

. The operation of the liquid feeding device is substantially as follows. The` liquid bottle is adapted to occupy two positions, one being a raised position such as is shown in Figure 16 where it feeds the liquid directly into the well 69 by gravity, and the other position is shown in Figure 20 where the bottle is lowered to rest on the support alongside the machine and drain the liquid from the well 69 and the trough 48 back into the bottle 8i). The vent 86 is positioned slightly above the level where it is desired to retain liquid in the trough 48. The part of the tube 8| that extends into the head 19 is of sufficient length to create an air lock chamber 31 (see Figure lo) so as to maintain the proper level of liquid in the trough. As the liquid is used up in the trough, it will continue to now into the trough until the supply of liquid in the head 19 becomes low enough'to permit air entering through the vent B5 to pass under the lower end of the tube 8| and raise up into the bottle to relieve the low pressure created in the bottle by the removal of liquid. Only enough liquid will iiow down into the bottle to again fill up the head 19 sufficiently to seal off the lower end of the tube 8|. In this way the liquid level control for the troughis maintained.

At the end of any operation when it is desired to leave the machine the bottle is simply turned from the inverted position shown in Figure 16 to the position shown in Figures 2 and 20. When this is done the liquid in the trough can return to the bottle through the well 19, the tube 13, the nipple 16, the head 19, and the tube 8|. There will be a small amount of liquid trapped in the head 19 around the tube 8| but this amount is very slight. `The liquid used in a machine of this character is highly volatile so that the copy sheets when moistened` will dry quickly. It is generally an alcohol or a mixture containing a high percentage of alcohol and it is essential that as little liquid as possible be left exposed to air because of the evaporation thereof. With the construction just described the evaporation from the b-ottle 8B when the machine is not in use will be relatively small.

The driving means for the several rollers is connected so as to be operated by the drum 50 in its rotation. The drum construction is illustrated best in Figures 3, a, 5, 7, 8, 9 and l0. The drum is mounted for rotation in the side frames l0 and |I by va shaft 99. The shaft 90 is driven from a suitable 'drive member such as the handle 6| through gears 82e and 93, the gear 93 being adapted to rotate the shaft. Thedrum 5i) has its heads S4 and S5 set in and riveted to the drum so as to form a rigid structure and to provide mounting means for the mechanism necessary to open and close a master sheet gripping bar 95. The bar 96 extends the full length of the drum, and has its gripping portion 91 extending through a slot 98 in the surface of the drum.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 particularly the construction by which the gripping lbar 96 is caused to move -from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8 comprises a lever arm S9 that is secured on the shaft so as to rotate therewith. This lever arm has a linkY |00 which is connected to a cam lever |0| pivoted to the head 94 of the drum by a pivot screw |82. The cam lever lill has its cam face positioned to engage a roller |03 that is secured on the end of the gripping bar 96. A stop pin |64 is positioned in the path of the lever arm 99 to limit its movement in one direction, and the pivot screw |62 limits the movement of the lever arm in the other direction. The head 94 has a curved lug |55 struck up therefrom and overlapping the circular hub 99a of 'the lever arm 99. The gripping bar 96 has a lever |06 pivoted thereto by the pivot screw |01. The lever |86 is also pivoted to the head 94 by a screw HIS. A spring H3G is positioned on two spring guides HD and III carried by the lug |05 and the lever H26 respectively, so as to normally urge the lever |86 in a direction to pull the gripping bar 96 into the position shown in Figure 7. The direction of rotation of the drum 5G is illustrated by the arrows in Figures 7 and 8 and normally the lever arm 99 is positioned as shown in Figure 7 so as to rotate the drum in the proper direction as the drive `means 9| is operated. However if the direction of `rotation of the sha-ft S is reversed and the drum held stationary, the lever arm E9 will be moved tor the position shown in Figure 8. This causes the cam lever |il| to, press against the roller |03 and rock the bar 95 about its pivot on the lever |06. Also in doing this the lever |08 is pushed outwardly at the end connected to the gripping bar so as to open the gripping slot (indicated at ||2 in Figure 8) for the reception of a master sheet.`

The drum must be held stationary while this reverseV movement of the lever arm 99 takes place, and in order to hold the drum stationary I provide means shown best in Figure 10 for locking the drum against rotation. `The lever |06 has a counterpart lever I3 on the head 95 of the drum, the connection being essentially the same as that of the lever |06. At this end of the drum the shaft 90 is journalled in a bearing ring ||4 which has a flange I I5 that is secured to the drum head 95. A split ring surrounds the bearing ring I I4. The split ring IIB has one jaw I II provided with a downwardly extending arm ||8 which is xed to the side frame I by a pin I I9. The other jaw I 20 of the split ring I I6 is free to move within limits so as to either clamp the bearing ring I|4 or release it for rotation. The means for clamping the parts and |20 together and for normally keeping them spread comprises a stem |2| extending from the jaw I II upwardly through the jaw |20 where it pivotally mounts a cam lever |22, that is shaped to bear on the jaw |29 and force this jaw toward the jaw ||'I when the camv lever |22 is moved from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 10. A spring |23 is mounted on the stem |2| between the jaws so as normally to hold them separated and keep the jaw |20 in engagement with the face of the cam lever |22. The cam lever |22 is so positioned that it extends up alongside the end of the drum where it can be readily grasped by the operator and moved to locking position whenever it is desired to open the master sheet gripping bar 96.

Assuming that it is desired to open the gripping bar and insert a new master, the drum is brought to home position by the rotation of Vthe member 9| and then the cam lever |22 is moved up into :position tolock the drum against rotation. The member 9| reverse directiona `short. distance. This causes the lever arm` S9 to move from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8, and causes the gripping bar 96 to open the slot ||2. After a master sheetis inserted, the membei SI can be rotated in the normal direction and it Willrimmediately close the gripping bar and clamprrthe master sheet in place. It is not even necessary i to rotate Ythe' member 9| since the pressure of the spring vI I will turn the lever t arm 99 to the position shown in Figure 7 unless it is prevented from doing so by holding `the member 9|. To release the drum for further operationit is then only necessary to return the cam lever |22 to the position shown in Figure 9,

thus releasing the split ring I i from the bearing ring ||4 and freeing the drum forV rotation.

The mechanism whereby the drum '55, the paper feed Vmechanism 5| and the power roller i5 of the feeding and moistening roller assembly are operated in timed relation is illustrated best in Figures 2, 3, 6, 9, l1 `and l5. The paper Yfee-:i mechanism 5| comprises a i driven shaft |24 having a spur gear |25 thereon which is driven from thedrum-in a manner explained hereinafter. The shaft |24 is supported on two brackets |26 and |2'IV that are mounted on the platesV 'and 53. vIntermediate its ends the shaft |24 has a housing |28 of theY paper feed mechanism 5| pivoted thereon between two collars |29 and |39 (FigureB). vIn the housingrthe shaft |24 is then turned in the Vby Va set screw.

8 has a sprocket Wheel |3| non-rotatably mounted thereon. The sprocket wheel |3| drives a chain |32 which in turn drives a sprocket wheel |33 which is secured on a shaft |34.l The shaft- |34 is secured at its opposite ends by'pins in the hubs I35and |35 of two Yresilient rubber feed rollers |3'I and |38 for feeding the paper sheets. The hubs are rotatablymounted inthe housing |28 by means of bearing sockets |39 and |49 in the hubs and flanged stub shafts I4| and |42 that are secured to the housing by screws |43 and |44.

The gear |25 meshes with a gear |45 which is journalled on the shaft 55 and held in place by a nut |46 on a reduced end of the shaft 65, the gear |45 of course being outside the side plate 52. The gear |46 has a sprocket wheel portion |47 integral therewith by which a chain |48 serves to drive the gear |45.V The chain is driven by a sprocket wheel |49 that is journalled on a stud |50 that is formed on the side frame I0. The wheel |49 has a resilient rubber driving rim |5| at the side thereof adjacent the frame I0 which is xed on the hub |52 of the wheel |49. The stud |50 and a stud |53 on the frame serve to secure the hinged sections 63 and 54, screws |54 and |55 being threaded into the ends of the studs |50 and |53 through the sections 63 and 54 for this purpose. The screws |54 and |55 must be removed in orderl to lift the sections 63 and 54.

Therroller 44 is driven by va. gear |56 that *s secured on an extension |51 of the roller shaft The gear has to be removed in order to lift the roller 44 from the side plates 52 and 53, but it is seldom necessary to remove this roller. The gear |55 meshes with a gear |58 which is secured by a stud |59 that is threaded into the side plate 52. The gear |58 meshes with a gear wheel |60 similarly mounted on the side plate 52. This gear wheel |50 has a resilient rubber driving rim ISI xed on its hub |62.

The driving rims |5| and |5| are both turned intermittently by the drum through the medium of a driving cam |53 that turns with the drum. The cam |53 has a serrated curved driving face and is bevelled atV 55 in front of the'serrated driving face. The driving cam |53 is mounted by ltwo guide bars |55 and |57 (see Figure l2),

which slide in a mounting block |58. The block |68 is drivingly connected to the member ||4 by two pins 69 and I. Two pins III and |12 'riding in elongated slots |73 and V|I4 limit the movement of the bars |56 and l'in Vthe block kstart the rotation of the rim l 5| gradually which is of advantage in advancing the paper copy `sheets'and avoids Wrinkling or buckling them.

The cam |53 first advances the paper through its rotation of the rim |5| and consequent driving of the chain |48 and the paper feed mechanism 5|. Next the cam l'engages theV rimi and starts the feeding and moistening rollers before the caz'n leaves the rirn YLil. The angular spacing of the two rims I5| and ||i| with respect to the cani'axis (the axis of the-drum) deter-V mines the timing of the rotation of the feeding moistening rollers with respect to the paper feeding by the mechanism 5|.V o The angulaip'osition'of the drum with respect to the earn |55 determines the margin atthe V.head of the copy sheet. This position is readily adjusted by means of the mounting flange on the member ||4. This flange has an arcuate slot |l that receives a clamping screw |11 that is threaded into the head 95 of the drum. By releasing the screw |11 the drum and cam may be shifted with respect to each other to give any desired margin within the range of the slot |16.

rIhe copy sheets are pressed against a master sheet on the drum by a platen roller |18. The controlof this roller is accomplished by the mechanism illustrated best in Figures l, 2,l 4, 13 and 14. The platen roller can be moved between the two extreme positions shown in Figures '7 and 8 and can be readily removed. The side frames |9 and have bosses |19 and |89, facing inward, to which two supporting lever arms |8| and |82 are pivoted. These arms are connected together at their lower ends by a cross bar |83. At their upper ends the bars mount two bell cranks |84 and |85 for pivotal movement. The bell cranks |84 and |85 have cra-dle portions |85 and |81 at their upper forward ends to receive the end bearings |88 and |89 of the roller |19. At their lower ends the bell cranks |84 and |35 have adjustable stops |99 and |9|. These stops engage cams |92 and |93 on a` shaft |94 that is journalled in the side frames I9 and rIhe shaft |34 has a hand lever |95 secured thereon outside the side frame An arm |96 is Xed to the shaft |94 inside the frame and carries a spring pressed ball |91. A plate |98 is secured on the side frame and has seats |59 therein for the ball |91.

In operation the platen roller |18 is normally in the position shown in Figures l, 4, and 6, to press against the drum. The pressure is adjusted by turning the hand lever |95 to cause the shaft |94 to rotate its cam |92 and |93 and move the stops |99 and |9| toward or away from the shaft |94. When the machine is not in operation it is best to free the platen roller from the drum. This is done by turning the hand lever |95 to its extreme limit in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure l. When the platen roller is to be removed for cleaning etc. the bar |83 is pulled out toward the rear of the machine. This turns the lever arms |8| and |82 on their pivots to lower the bell cranks |84 and |85 and bring the platen roller away from the drum. This movement is illustrated in Figures '1 and 8. When the platen roller is in the position shown in Figure 8 it may readily be lifted out of the cradles at the upper ends of the bell cranks. The lever |95 must be in the release position when this is done, otherwise the pressure keeps the bar |53 from being pulled out. l

In Figures 28 and 29 a modified form of detent means for the shaft |94 is shown. In this form anotched plate 299 is fixed on the shaft |54. A holding pawl 29| is pivoted on the adjacent cross tie rod I4 and is held against the plate 299`by a spring 292. One end of the spring 292 is hooked over a pin 293 on the pawl and the other end is held by the bracket I3. A pointer equipped hand lever 294 is secured to the shaft |94 out side the side frame Y In Figures 24 to 27 inclusive a modied form of side edge gripping device for the copyA sheets shown. The sponge rubber pad 21 is mounted in a holder 295 similar to the holder 29. The holder 295 has a stern 296 riveted thereto. The stem 296 extends through an opening 293 in the semi cylindrical wall 298 of a housing- `291 for the pad 21. The stem has a spring 2 Daround it in the housing. Thespring is under compres` sion between the holder 28 and a washer 2||. The stem 295 has a flattened end 2|2. A cam 2|3 is pivoted on the stem end 2|2 and. bears against a washer 2|4 on the outside of the: housing wall 298. The operation of this modification is believed to be clear from the showing in Figures 24, 26 and 27.

The paper feed mechanism 5| as previously described is not entirely reliable in separating single sheets from a stack of copy sheets. In Figures 30 to 33 inclusive I show additional mechanism that is incorporated in the-machine for betterseparation and control of the copy sheets. This mechanism includes a clamp 2|5 for holding down the advancing edge of a stack of copy sheets on the plate |5. For the sake of clarity the side guides I8 an-d I9 are left off the drawings and with the edge clamp 2|5 the side grippers 21 are not necessary. The clamp 2| 5 is carried by a slide plate 2 l5 which is guided between two pairs of guides 2|1 and 2|3 at the rear end of the plate |5. The plate l5 is slotted as shown at 2|9 near its rear edge to allow the plate 2|6 to pass up through it.

The slide plate 2|6 is controlled b-y a weighted bell crank lever 229 which is pivoted by a pin 22| between arms 22|a and 22|b that are mounted on the portion I6 of the plate |5. Gne end of the lever 229 is bifurcated and engages with the slide plate 2|6 as shown in Figure 30. The plate 2|6 has an aperture 222 to receive the bifurcated end .223 of the lever 229. Weights 224 are mounted on the lever 229. The other end of the lever 229 hasI a pin 225 fixed therein. This pin 225 rides in the bifurcated ends of two links 226 and 221 that receive the lower end of the lever 229` between them. A shaft 228 is mounted in the side frames I9 and and has a lever arm 229 xed thereon. The arm 229 is bifurcated to provide spaced apart portions 239 and 23| that receive the links 226 and 221 and a washer 232 between them. A pivot pin 233 is secured in the portions 239 and 23| to provide pivotal connection of the links 226 and 221 with the lever arm 229. Figures 30 and 32 illustrate the two limiting positions of the copy sheet clamp 2 I5. As the stack of sheets diminish in height the weights carry the clamp down. When a new stack of sheets is to be inserted the operator uses `a hand piece 234 on the shaft 228 to move the parts to the position shown in Figure 32. In this position the clamp 2|5 is ready to receive the new stack of sheets.

The copy sheet supporting plate |5 is shown in Figures 30 to 32 as having a back stop 235 which is adjustable so it can be placed against the end Vof a stack of sheets on the plate 5. The plate |5 is provided with a rearwardly extended bar 236 which is secured beneath the plate l5. 'Ihe bar and the plate are slotted at 249 to receive a clamping screw 231. 'The screw and a nut 239 clamp the portion 238 of the back stop 235 against the bar. The backstop 235 has a lip 24| at its front edge riding in the slot 249 to keep thebackstop in alignment.

In order to accomplish the removal of a top copy sheet from the clamp 2|5 I provide :means for driving the mechanism 5| in the reverse direction justprior to the time that the forward drive of the mechanism 5| by the cam |63 begins. Since the mechanism5| is free of any connection to the drum except when the cam |63 is engaged with the ring |5| the reverse drive of themechaniszn does not interfere with the forward feeding operations. l

The... reverse feeding. mechanism y compris/evs".

resilient rubber ring k242 on a hub 24.3 that is fixed yon the shaft |24 outside of the lbracket |21. A bell crank 244 is pivotally mounted on the side `plate 53 by a stub shaft 245. The bell crank 244 carries a drive linger 246 which is spring pressed toward the ring 242 by a spring 241. A pin 248 on the finger 245 rides in a slot i249 in 'the bell crank to limit the movement of thenger 246. A spring 250 is interposed between the bell crank 244'and a bracket 25| on the side plate 53. 'Ihe bell crank 244 is driven by a lcam lever 252 which is pivoted on a stud 2'53 that is secured on the side frame |I. The cam lever 252 has a cam slot 254 that receives .a pin 255 on the bell crank 244. A leaf spring 255 is mounted on the cam lever 252 and bears on the pin 255. The cam lever 252 is provided with a 'roller 251 that is positioned lto engage a cam 258 that is mounted on the head.94 of the drum D.

The operation of the mechanism just described is as follows. As the drum approaches home position the Vcam 258 engages the roller 251 and moves the cam lever 252 in a clockwise direction to effect counterclockwise movement `of the bell crank 244 from the position shown in Figure 30 to that shown in Figure 32. The finger 245 engages the ring 242 and turns the shaft |24 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 32. 'Ihis drives Y thewheels |31 and '|38 vin a .direction to pull the top copy sheet rearwardly from the clamp 2|5. As soon .as the sheet clears the clamp, the clamp drops down on the next sheet to hold it. The clamp is bevelled so that when 'the cam |63 engages the ring |5| to operate the wheels |.31 and |38 in a direction to advance the copy sheet, the sheet will not catch on the clamp. The copy sheet is advanced against the feeding and moistening rollers and they in turn are .driven by the cam |53 to .advance the sheet tothe drum 50 and the platen roller |18. When the cam |63 rotates the shaft |24 'and the wheels 31 and |38, the finger 246 is returned by the ring 242 to the original position. The spring 25|] aids the return .and relieves the ring 242 from the pressure of the nger and the .bell crank 24'4. Y

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A duplicating machine comprising a master sheet drum, a platen roller positioned to press copy sheets against a master sheet on said drum, means to rotate the drum, copy sheet moistening and feeding rollers for advancing copy sheets to the drum and platen roller, a copy sheet tray, sheet feeding means including a feed roller over said tray for engaging the top sheet of a stack of copy sheets on said tray, and means to drive the moistening and feeding rollers and said feed roller in timed relation to the rotation of said drum comprising driving wheels operably connected to the feed roller and one of the moistening and feeding rollers, said wheels being positioned adjacent one end of the drum, resilient rims on said wheels, a driving member mounted on said end of the drum and having a serrated portion for engaging said resilient rims, said serrated portion being movably mounted for limited radial movement with respect to the drum axis and spring means urging said portion toward the outward limit of its movement.

2. In a duplicating machine, a master sheet drum, a platen roller positioned to press copy sheets against a master sheet on the drum, means to rotate the drum, a first means and a second means to advance cop'y sheets to the drumuajnd platen roller, including a first wheel and a second Wheel' spaced apart angularly about said drum platen roller, .including a first wheel and a second wheel vspaced apart angularly about said drum and having resilient rim portions, and a cam on Y the drum for engaging said wheels in succession as the drum rotates, said cam having a' wheel engaging 'portion movably mounted forrlimited radial movement with respect to the drum axis and means yieldingly urging said portion radially outward.

4. In a duplicating machine, a master sheet drum, a platen roller for pressing copy sheets against Va master sheet on the drum, means to advance copy sheets to the drum and platen roller and drive mechanism for said sheet advancing means, comprising a wheel operably connected to the sheet advancing means, a cam operably .connected to the drum to rotate in unison therewith, the wheel having a resilient rim for engagement by the cam, and the cam having its wheelengaging portion yieldable radially of the cam.

5. A duplicating machine comprising a master sheet drum, a platen roller positioned to press copy sheets against a master sheet on said drum, means to rotate the drum, copy sheet moistening and feeding rollers for advancing copy sheets to the drum and platen roller, a copy sheet tray, sheet feeding means including a feed roller over said tray for engaging the top sheet of a stack of copy sheets on said tray, and means to drive the moistening and feeding rollers and said feed roller in timed relation to the rotation of said drum comprising, a driving cam on one end of the drum, two wheels spaced apart angularly in the path of said cam and having resilient rim portions engaged by the cam, means drivingly connecting the rst wheel engaged by the cam as the drum rotates with the feed roller, means drivingly connecting the other wheel with the feeding and moistening rollers, a second cam on said drum, a lever pivoted on the framework having a cam roller for engaging said second cam, the second cam and the lever being so positioned with respect to the drum to engage and disengage before the first named cam engaged the first wheel as the drum is rotated, means operable by said lever to turn said feed roller in the reverse direction to that in which the feed roller is turned by the rst wheel, and a clampon the feed tray holding down the forward edges of copy sheets thereon, the reverse movement of said feed roller operating to remove the top copy sheet from said clamp.

6. A duplicating machine comprising a master sheet drum, a platen roller positioned to press copy sheets against a master sheet on said drum,

- means to rotate the drum, copy sheet moistening 13 connecting the first wheel engaged by the cam es Number the drum rotates with-the feed roller, and mearig` 2,142,449 drivingly connecting the other wheel with theV 2,165,231 feeding and moisteningiffrollers. 2,204,715 g HENRY P. KEIL. 5 2,268,045 2,271,801 REFERENCES CITED 2,271,954 The following referenees are of record inthe 2,299,994 fue of this patent: u n 374,039

UNITED STATES PATENTS v 10 Number Nanne?4 Date Number 2,083,044 Storck June 8, 1937 290.478 2,126,514 Storck tfl. Aug. 9; 1938 325,880

14 Name ADate Marchev Jan. 3, 1939 Curtis July 11, 1939 Wimmer June 18, 1940 Marchev 30, 1941 Morrison et al. .Eeb- 3, 1942 Hockniu Een. 3, 1942 Kokay Q`t.27,1942 Rockhill Ap. 17, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Mar. 1, 1916 Italy r. 15, 1935 

